All-Greater Houston: WrestlingIt's a family affair for Tamyra Mensah

Published 5:30 am, Sunday, April 24, 2011

Just being the best wrestler in her family is an achievement for Tamyra Mensah.

Just being the best wrestler in her family is an achievement for Tamyra Mensah.

Photo: Bob Levey, For The Chronicle

Mensah named All-Greater Houston girls wrestler of year

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With a 41-0 record, Morton Ranch’s Tamyra Mensah cruised through the competition en route to winning her second straight state title at 138 pounds.

Q: Which title run was more special to you and why?

A: Both. Last year was special because it was my first title ever, I was the first-ever champion at my school, and it was the year my dad had died. This year, the fact that I was a two-time champion and that my twin (Tarkyia Mensah) was there with me for the first time and also won state to get back on the map. That was special, too.

Q: How sweet was it for you and your sister to win state titles together?

A: I can only thank God we were both able to go this time. It was so special, unbelievable and frightening at the same time, because I didn’t know how she was going to do. But it was absolutely amazing in the end.

Q: How does this year’s journey to the final compare to last year’s?

A: Last year, I didn’t know how I was going to do. All I knew was that I was scared but that it was time for me to get first place because I had gotten second before. This year, well, I just had to defend my title.

Q: What was the toughest part about defending your title?

A: Living up to everyone’s expectations. The fact that I had won state one year, everybody was expecting me to win it again. Just to have to live up to that was hard, but it was worth it. It just pushed me harder.

Q: How does it feel to be undefeated?

A: The fact that no one could beat me is actually a scary feeling because anybody could come, at any moment, be another Tamyra and try to beat me. At times, I was scared because there were some girls that I never fought before. I was scared but confident.

Q: What was you initial reaction after watching your sister win before your match?